Take preparations in advance for possible long-term flood: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today directed the authorities concerned for taking preparations in advance to face any possible long-term flood as forecasted by the meteorological department.

The premier made the directive during a regular weekly cabinet meeting which she chaired.

"The prime minister has made us aware especially about the flash flood in mid-Bhadra (end of August) which may prevail for a longer time," Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told a news briefing at the Secretariat this afternoon.

Anwarul also said that the prime minister asked the authorities concerned to take special care on production of the Ropa Aman (T-Aman) to ensure food security.

"The prime minister directed us in the cabinet meeting today to take special care on the production of Ropa Aman (T-Aman) as the seeds of Aman were destroyed due to the ongoing flood," the cabinet secretary said.

He also said the PM asked the authorities concerned to quicken rehabilitation since the existing water levels of the major rivers such as the Padma and the Jamuna have continued to decline for the last few days.

A rehabilitation programme that has been taken to this end would be implemented in three phases, he informed.

The LGRD ministry has been tasked with reconstructing or repairing the damaged infrastructures while the Water Development Board would be repairing the embankments damaged by the floods, he said, adding that a huge allocation has been given to this end.